Proposed Tolls For 'Missing Link' Get A Hearing

LAKE MARY — Motorists can put in their two cents on the proposed tolls for the ''missing link'' of the Central Florida GreeneWay during a workshop today.

The workshop, during which people can come and go at any time, will last from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Lake Mary High School, 655 Longwood-Lake Mary Road.

Those attending the workshop maysee a short video, review toll rate displays and speak to department representatives.

''We want people to attend. We want as much input as possible,'' said Kimberlee Poulton, spokeswoman for the Turnpike District of the state Department of Transportation. ''We try to do this to keep the lines of communication open as much as possible.''

The six-mile link will connect the GreeneWay (State Road 417), which stops now at U.S. Highway 17-92 in Sanford, with Interstate 4. Construction is scheduled to start in early 1999 and finish by late 2001, Poulton said.

Toll plazas will be placed at U.S. 17-92 and County Road 46-A (Paola Road). On-ramps with toll booths will be built north of Lake Mary Boulevard.

Also, there will be a toll-free interchange built at Rinehart Road.

Under the proposal, getting onto the GreeneWay northbound or getting off southbound would cost 50 cents at U.S. 17-92 and 25 cents at C.R. 46-A. At Lake Mary Boulevard, southbound traffic exiting the expressway and traffic getting on northbound would pay 50 cents.

''If people are going straight through from the Lake Jesup toll plaza to I-4, they don't pay any more tolls,'' Poulton said.

The ''missing link'' will complete the Eastern Beltway around Orlando, providing drivers with a continuous route from I-4 south of Walt Disney World to Orlando International Airport and the University of Central Florida and ending at I-4 in Sanford.

A public hearing will be held later to set the formal toll rate, DOT officials said.

Written comments about the tolls can be submitted by Oct. 3 to Kimberlee Poulton, Director of Public Information, Turnpike District, Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 9828, Fort Lauderdale, 33310-9828.